Mom speaks out in favor of in-car breathalyzer devices

Anyone convicted of drunken driving in Florida could soon have to install a device on their vehicles. The goal is to keep people from driving drunk again.

A mother from Seminole County who lost a child in a crash spoke in favor of the device, Wednesday at the state Capitol.

Lake Mary High School graduate Matthew Beard is one example of the thousands killed each year at the hands of drunk drivers. He was a senior with one semester left to go when a drunk driver plowed into his car.

His mom urged Florida lawmakers Wednesday to pass a law named after Beard.

"In a blink of an eye, I was never called 'Mom' again. He was my only son," Connie Russell said.

The law would allow judges to order a breathalyzer device called an interlock be placed in the cars of anyone convicted of a DUI. The convicted driver would have to blow into the device to prove he is sober before the car would start.

Right now judges can only order the locks in the most severe DUI cases, such as repeat offenders, drunk drivers with children in the car or DUIs with a blood alcohol level over .15.

"It will absolutely positively without a doubt save lives. It's been proven in other states," Russell said.

Studies estimate 50 percent to 75 percent of drunk drivers whose licenses are suspended continue to drive anyway.

Convicted drivers would have to pay $100 to install the devices and $60 per month for monitoring costs.